"If You Build It, They Will Come" - Scharf Reunion 2009

This is Jim Scharf.

He has been quite busy. About 4 years back, he was able to purchase some land outside of Moab, UT near the La Sal Mountains, a life long dream of his. Ever since then, he has been hard at work. From digging posts and fencing the property, grating an easement, raising two sheds, digging a well, installing power, laying foundation and building a house - including plumbing and wiring, he has kept quite busy. Although he had some help along the way, he did most of it with his own two hands. Did I mention that he just turned 80 this past year? Or that he suffers from lung cancer, has had 2 heart attacks, and needs both knees replaced? He is amazing. He has a stubborn streak a mile wide, and a heart bigger than that. He is my Grandpa.

This last year he called me and wanted the get the grand kids together (me and my siblings are the only ones, as my mother was his only child). He wanted to do a Scharf Reunion, "Jim" style. This is something that he has been wanting to do for sometime. All five siblings and their families were able to make it. (Which is rare. There were a lot of sacrifices that had to be made.)

We had such a good time. Just sat around and visited. Met some new family and had some good food. The best part was we all got to see Grandpa. As with any family reunion, pictures were a must. He had us gather 'round the infamous tractor. The same orange tractor that we played on as kids, when we visited him in the summertime. Also, the same tractor that did a lot of the work around the property.

Brian, his wife Tracy and two kids, Jerry and Sean

Aaron, his wife Erika, and two kids, Brevin and Jace

Me, my Tracy, and our three kids, Aleana, Trent, and Hannah

Jesse and his son, Falken

Grandpa and Tessa

We goofed around playing games, as the kids played outside getting dirty, shooting their rubber-band guns, having squirt-gun fights and finding grasshoppers. (Aleana was quite disappointed that the rubber-band guns didn't have sufficient power to actually kill a grasshopper...who's child is she?)

Hannah - getting ready to climb the tractor, which was a popular thing with the kids.

This is a famous "Trent" look. It is the look of "Dad, ENOUGH ALREADY!"

I rarely post pictures of myself. And while this is me, in a frumpy maternity shirt, it has to be included. My dad can't resist to giving me a hard time. And by the look on my face, you can tell that I am pretty much used to it. :)

The Boys. Man, I sure do love my brothers, even if Jesse is still "too cool" to smile. (And notice the mountains in the background. Simply breath-taking. This pic was taken from my Grandpa's porch.)

And while hanging out at Grandpa's property was awesome, the "bigger" kids (er, the grown-ups) needed a change of scenery and a chance to cool off. So we headed to the mountains. It didn't take long (30 min drive on dirt roads). It was nice to cool off.

Mt Pearle - 12,721 ft. Highest peak of La Sal Mountains

Trent, or the other boys didn't care much about the awesome beauty, they just liked the big rock...and hated the bugs that kept trying to eat them.

The road that takes you to and from the mountain is unique, and one of our favorites. We used to come up this way as kids with Grandpa to explore and go fishing. However, every once in a while we got to stop at the "creek that you drive through". A small creek literally runs through the road, on purpose. Our car always seems to make it though and it's always fun to watch the kids.

You can play in the creek, just make sure to get out of the way for traffic

Hannah testing the water - does she know how cold run-off water is?

More water fun with Dad

Poser.

Hannah being brave and Mom about to pee her pants as they walk through the water.

Aunt Tessa, "soaking" her feet. And not-so-little Jace wanting to jump in, if only mom would let go...:)

Trent, in his element. Hmmm, what can I throw next?

Kids at play.

She has to be freezing, right?

Sure, thanks for sitting in it. The ride back to the cabin is going to be real "fun".

Love this pic. Falken flexing his muscles. He is such a character and can win over anybody's heart.

All in all, we had such a good time. But it seemed that the time was too short. Not enough time to catch up, but there were plenty of laughs and good memories made. Can I say how much I love family?